World Health Day 2024: Advocate Universal Health Care With IMANA

World Health Day is an important reminder that everyone deserves access to proper healthcare. Though the highest standards of health is a human right:

• Ninety percent of the world’s population is breathing polluted air. Air quality and climate change have led to premature deaths every 5 seconds.
• One in 8 people (970 million) live with a mental disorder. An estimated 3 out of 4 people who live in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment.
• Around 84 million people worldwide used drugs in 2020. Only a fraction receive treatment while the treatment gap is wider for women.
• Approximately 39 million people across the globe have HIV, an incurable disease. A large chunk of people who live with HIV or are at risk for it do not have access to preventive tools, methods, or treatment.
• In 2023, natural disasters claimed the lives of roughly 95,000 people worldwide. This number could have been significantly lowered through early prediction, emergency preparedness, and more resilient infrastructure.

As the world gets more violent, experts recorded an estimated 3.6 to 3.8 million civilian deaths in post-9/11 war zones. Many more are wounded. In addition, populations are suffering from the most extreme forms of hunger.

Though troubling, awareness and health promotion can help us identify and treat health-related issues that affect society. In pursuit of equitable health for all, join IMANA as we celebrate World Health Day 2024 this April 7.

What Is the Central Theme of this Year’s celebration?

This year, the theme is “My health, my right.” The theme was chosen to accelerate access to universal health care. It reminds people that health is not a privilege; it is a right regardless of one’s race, gender, or religion. 

It seeks to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to:

• Quality healthcare services
• Health education and information
• Decent working and environmental conditions

According to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR), this encompasses underlying determinants of health, which dictate morbidity and mortality. It includes the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the houses we live in.

Why Is It Important to Celebrate World Health Day?

Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 7. Its primary objective is to draw attention to the important public health concerns of our time. 

Here are some ways it advocates “health for all:”

It Encourages Policy Changes

Solutions to public health concerns aren’t possible without policy change. On World Health Day 2024, let’s hold our governments responsible for addressing and dismantling underlying political, economic, social, and physical determinants of health.

IMANA, meanwhile, is undertaking climate advocacy in various states to create a more sustainable world. By addressing climate change, we hope to minimize its effect on human health, well-being, and disease.

It Celebrates Progress 

Celebrating wins, however small, keeps us focused on achieving our long-term goals. Last year, WHO shared a glimpse into its achievements in the last 75 years: 

• Advancing sexual and reproductive health
• Milestones in delivering vaccines 
• Calling for bold action against the climate-related health crisis
• Preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease outbreaks and strengthening access to health services
• A record year for disease elimination in many countries (cases of trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria were significantly reduced)

In a similar vein, IMANA commemorates and shares its accomplishments through its Impact Reports. These reveal the results of our fundraising efforts, medical relief missions, partnerships, annual conventions, and more.

It Inspires Action

Drawing attention to urgent public health issues inspires people and governments to take action. As their agencies become more aware of health-related challenges, they allocate more resources toward healthcare infrastructure, education, and personnel.

When citizens and states commit to solving health problems, their impact can be felt on local, national, and international levels. 

It Promotes Equity 

Achieving health equity is one of the main objectives of World Health Day. This can be done by promoting universal healthcare coverage, eliminating preventable health disparities, and addressing social determinants of health. 

The idea of equitable healthcare access has become so prevalent that it has become an important priority for some of the largest philanthropic organizations.

In 2021, IMANA provided grants to 4 community health centers in pursuit of equitable health.

It Raises Awareness 

During each annual celebration, World Health Day highlights key aspects that influence public health. This allows people from all over the world to become more aware, take action, and affect change. 

IMANA has joined the fight by researching and publishing various articles for its members and the public on the IMANA blog. 

It Challenges You To Take Charge of Your Health 

On a personal level, World Health Day challenges you to adopt more healthy practices like: 

• Eating a balanced diet
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding alcohol
• Getting regular exercise
• Getting quality sleep

In addition, regular medical checkups are highly recommended. They help detect potential issues early on, which improves your well-being and chances of survival.

Make the World Healthier With IMANA

The lack of access to universal healthcare is pushing a large number of people towards extreme poverty. Funding global priorities can help us create an empowered, more equitable health system where everyone gets the medical services they need and deserve. 

This World Health Day 2024, join us in building a healthy future for all, including the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

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